General Concerns or Complaints

Individuals wishing to raise concerns or complaints about any aspect of the publication process in TEPIAN may contact us via email at tanesa@politanisamarinda.ac.id. Please note that TEPIAN staff do not provide oversight or comment on editorial decision-making.

We aim to acknowledge receipt of complaints within five business days. Our Research Integrity and Inclusion Manager will lead the investigation following COPE guidelines, ensuring that correct procedures have been followed. The investigation will review the submission history and any correspondence between the author, editor, and reviewers. We may also contact involved parties to obtain further information, adhering to GDPR regulations.

Complainants will be informed of the outcome in writing. We strive to resolve issues promptly, typically within six weeks; however, some investigations may take longer depending on the nature of the concern, availability of relevant data, involvement of multiple authors or papers, and potential involvement of the author's institution or other external parties.

To allow due process and unbiased investigations, we respectfully request that individuals refrain from public commentary on the case until the process concludes.

Complaints about Published Content

All concerns regarding our published content are investigated confidentially and in accordance with COPE guidelines, regardless of the complainant's status or identity. An internal review will determine if a full investigation is required. Investigations are conducted in collaboration with the author and the journal editor. We may contact third parties such as independent experts, author institutions, or funding bodies, in compliance with data protection regulations.

We will endeavor to preserve the anonymity of the complainant; however, certain complaints may inherently reveal the complainant's identity. Complainants will be updated once an investigation is completed and appropriate action is determined. Regular updates during the investigation are not provided to preserve confidentiality.

Appealing Editorial Decisions

Editors have broad discretion in determining the suitability of submissions for the journal. Many submissions are declined without external review, accompanied by a general statement of the rejection decision. These decisions are not eligible for formal appeal.

If an author believes that a rejection was not in accordance with journal policies and procedures, they may appeal by providing the editor with a detailed, point-by-point response to reviewer and editor comments. The editor will review the peer review process undertaken for the submission. If the decision aligns with editorial criteria, the editor's decision to reject is final.

In line with our policy to uphold editorial independence, TEPIAN staff do not mediate between an author and editor in cases of differing opinions on the final decision.

Appealing Post-Publication Corrective Actions

If concerns are raised about a published article, the editor, following COPE guidelines—including COPE's retraction guidelines—and in consultation with TEPIAN, will determine whether the article needs to be retracted or if other corrective actions are necessary. As stated in the authorship agreement, the journal and TEPIAN reserve the right to take corrective action as deemed necessary to maintain a transparent and accurate academic record.

Authors can appeal this decision if new evidence impacting the underlying decision emerges before the specified deadline for comment. Appeals will be considered by TEPIAN and may involve consultation with the journal editor, editorial board, and/or external scientific advisors. Decisions on retraction and expression of concern appeals are final.  [Back to Publication Ethics]